Disappointment at Saltwaterfish.com

[Fluff]

I was browsing Saltwaterfish.com in preparation of an order and came across some very disturbing photos of what appears to be dyed specimens that they are now offering. I did a quick search of thier forums and found thier members complaining as well. This is pretty disheartening as I've always liked doing business with them in the past but, now I'm not so sure I want to continue.

Here are a few examples of leathers and anemones they have listed. And other than the last leather, they don't even mention anything about them being colored that I seen.

Leathers

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=1349&parent_category= 4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=2973&parent_category= 4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=2929&parent_category= 4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4

anemones

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=3133&parent_category= 4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=3134&parent_category= 4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=3135&parent_category= 4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4

[Fluff]

Just wanted to add that I sent them a message about this. Not sure how much good it will do but did it just the same. I hope to hear back from them.

_____________

I just recieved thier response. I've removed the CS name for privacy reasons but here is what I got...

Hello,

I am sympathetic to your thought processes. Unfortunately there is a market demand for brightly colored items for reef tanks. There are many aquaculture facilities that use dye to enhance certain corals and anemones. We only order them in for the customers who want them.
Thanks for your e-mail,

**** @ Customer Support

[roka64]

Nice! At least you did your best!

[fijiwigi]

Everybody is out to make a buck Saltwaterfish.com is a monster money making machine If there is someone willing to pay for it than there will be a market There are tailoring to the consumer. Just like how Fast food chains are going to TransFat free frying Oil and offering healthier options like apples and 1%milk All because overwieght people are starting lawsuits against Fast Food Chains for making them overwieght Which started a chain reaction That Fast food chains are listening to. Sounds silly that A Fast food chain would even listen to the nonsense but they are changing their ways to satisy the consumer. The same as Saltwaterfish.com selling dyed corals to satisfy the consumer that is after the Wow Factor of an extremely colorfull aquarium.

[Kurt_Nelson]

But the food places are changing their ways for the better, as opposed to this vendor.

Consumer demand is a motivator, but I just don't understand it with corals. I'd have to assume that it's mostly folks that aren't aware of the practice that buy these things, which assumes they're probably just starting out in the hobby. So they get this beautiful coral that most likely dies on them. If I was selling corals, I sure wouldn't want to sell a coral that has a low chance of surviving because if it dies, the consumer will assume I'm selling unhealthy corals. I mean... look at fish - if you buy a fish from a LFS and it dies shortly after you get it, or ends up with ich, do you go back to that same LFS and buy another one? I sure don't.

Thanks for the heads up fluff.

[melosu58]

Thanks Cindy for the heads up.

[ccCapt]

That is sad. The pic of the sebae made me sick. That is so unnatural........

[Ziggy953]

Good job Cindy!!!!

[fijiwigi]

It is Sad. I have always thought of ordering from Saltwaterfish.com but now I am sure I will not for this very reason. Which will cost them my sale $$$$$ Terry Seigel - Editorial

[cmor1701d]

Thanks for posting that Cindy. Perhaps if enough of us wrote to complain they would stop carrying them. They really do look awfull. If someone want's those colors in their tank they should get the fakes and paint them.